Top Chefs To Be Judged On Hygiene Skills At Hotelympia

11th January 2008, 3:10pm

The UK’s leading food hygiene experts will be teaming up with some of the world’s top chefs to judge the food safety standards on display at world-class culinary competition Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres at the Hotelympia exhibition (Excel, 17-21 February 2008).

Leading hospitality environmental health consultancy HMS Ltd, part of the National Britannia Group, is sponsoring the event for the eighth consecutive year and offering a variety of prizes for hygiene excellence displayed at the internationally respected culinary competition.

The environmental health judging panel includes Director of the Enforcement and Food Standards Group at the Food Standards Agency David Statham and Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Graham Jukes.

Managing Director of Bath-based HMS Ltd Geoff Ward, who handpicked the judging panel, said:

"I have always supported the forging of links between the Environmental Health profession and the catering industry, and this is a unique opportunity for both to work together and recognise the value of each other's skills. This event is good for food safety, good for the environmental health profession and demonstrates the commitment of the food industry to the most rigorous hygiene standards possible." 

Gold medals will be presented to all high scoring individuals and teams with prizes and trophies being presented to the Best Junior Chef, Senior Chef and Team during the competition. Judging criteria will include personal hygiene and dress, condition of work equipment, cleaning standards, waste management and achieving safe temperatures.

Geoff Ward continued: "We are seeing more and more competitors displaying a high regard for hygiene every year, and the fact that many of these work in the UK's top catering venues demonstrates that the food safety message is hitting home in the industry."

HMS, part of the National Britannia Group, provides cost-effective food, safety, fire and DDA support to the hotel, catering and leisure industry. A nationally-based team of qualified, experienced consultants undertake policy development, risk assessments, HACCP, training, audits and inspections throughout the UK and Ireland.